England will stand by David Seaman as first-choice goalkeeper for Euro 2000 despite Nigel Martyn's magnificent performance against Ukraine.

Seaman was criticised for his part in Brazil's equaliser in England's 1-1 draw with Brazil on Saturday while his Leeds United rival was flawless in the 2-0 win over Ukraine.

Kevin Keegan's controversial decision came as England were peppered by dismissive fire from their Group A rivals. As England flew to Malta for their final tune-up match, key figures in the German and Romanian camps cast doubts over their championship potential despite recent encouraging results.

Middlesbrough's Germany defender Christian Ziege called Keegan's side an inferior version of the team his country beat in the Semi-finals of Euro 96, while Dan Apolzan, Romania's assistant coach, left Wembley after watching both the Brazil and Ukraine games asserting that England are a one-man team.

The criticism will not deflect Keegan from the path he has chosen for the tournament in the Low Countries, particularly over his last line of defence.

The coach maintained: 'Seaman will start as my No.1 goalkeeper come what may. What Nigel did at Wembley didn't surprise me but nothing has changed. They couldn't be any closer and we are just fortunate to have two goalkeepers who are so gifted.'

The third goalkeeper, Richard Wright, will earn his his first cap against Malta but Keegan is determined not to repeat the mistakes of the 1970s, when then England manager Ron Greenwood could not choose between Peter Shilton or Ray Clemence and played them in alternate games.

Keegan said: 'I don't think it helped either of them and I would never do anything like that. I am happy with what I have.'

Neither Martyn nor most of his colleagues cut much ice with Apolzan, who believes midfielder Paul Scholes to be the only real threat. The Romanian said: 'Without him England would be very ordinary.'

Ziege did his best to be complimentary but still believes Keegan's side are not up to scratch. He said: 'The England side at Euro 96 were definitely the best team I have played against. This England team is strong but that one was fantastic.'

And he questioned why Dennis Wise is not part of the starting line-up. 'The way he is playing now for Chelsea is formidable. I don't know why he isn't in the side. He is one of the best.'

Keegan has indicated that he and his players will not treat this fixture against the Maltese as a training exercise. He said: 'I would immediately substitute anyone who wasn't doing their best.'

England have been made fifth-favourites for the European Championship with odds of 9-1. Keegan said: 'The bookies have been known to be wrong before. I think we are a far better bet than that.'